Picture with resume

[athard]

I see an increasing number of employers asking for a picture along with the resume. Does anyone know why that is?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Because you are in Singapore and there aren't any laws to prevent discrimination based on looks. While they are admonished not to discriminate in advertisements, it's easy to require a photo and that way they can shortlist based on visuals. It also allowed to ask for any other information that is considered sacrosanct in western countries, e.g., age, height, weight, race, religion, gender, sexual proclivities, yadda, yadda, yadda. They will also probably ask you for you last/current pay voucher as well. Leave all out at your own peril. Some are good, and some are bad. You have to try to figure out which.

Welcome to Asia in general & Singapore in particular.

[andrew22]

SMS--would you say that it is advisable to just go ahead and include a picture on the resume/other 'particulars' like race in the first place, even if it is not explicitly requested in the application?

The career center at my university practically laughed me out of the place when I suggested that these things might be expected in SG. I've gotten mixed opinions over here, and feel like somewhat of a fish out of water still working under generally accepted Western resume guidelines. As you said, "Welcome to Asia."

[sundaymorningstaple]

Ask your career center at your uni how many applications they have sent to Asia and how many of them were successful without having to eventually submit additional information that is sacrosanct in the west.

It's better to supply it and not need it, rather than need it, and it's not there and the employer just lays it aside, figuring that, well, if we can't find somebody, then we will have to go and ask the guy to submit a complete CV.

At the end of the day, it's your call. However, I wouldn't ever submit my last salary or pay voucher even though they might ask for it. (One reason is that that information will tell them whether you short yourself in negotiations as they will have some idea if the industry is the same/similar).